Utah Jazz Decide on Former First-Round Pick's Future with the Franchise

As the 2022-23 season winds down, the Utah Jazz, 36-44 and 12th in the West, are prioritizing positioning themselves to have the best lottery odds possible at the NBA Draft.

In doing so, they've also started searching for diamonds in the rough who can parlay a late-season opportunity into earning a roster spot with next year's club.

That's why Utah recently signed Luka Samanic to a 10-day deal, plucking him from the Maine Celtics. The former first-round pick, who the San Antonio Spurs selected 19th overall at the 2019 draft, averaged 20.6 points and 10.8 rebounds in the G League this season.

Interestingly enough, Samanic's second game with the Jazz was against Boston at TD Garden. He was productive off the bench, producing four points, two rebounds, a steal, and a block in 12:21, albeit in a 122-114 loss.

In five games with Utah, including two starts, Samanic is generating 7.4 points, four rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, his performance has earned him a contract through the 2023-24 campaign.